Krause Returns to Chicago, Promising to 'Rock This Town'

J. Walter Thompson's Chicago office "needs a leader, needs unity, needs vision," and Barry Krause was tapped to address those needs because of his experience with a wide range of clients and his aggressive attitude, JWT North America president Bob Jeffrey said."He can get the office on track," Jeffrey said. "Krause has a great reputation in Chicago and the experience to speak to a wide variety of clients."Krause, 48, said he has been assured the office will not have second-city status to New York headquarters, a position sources say has held the Chicago outpost down in the past."I didn't come here to run a branch office," said Krause, who resigned as CEO of Publicis in New York to become JWT Chicago's president. "I took this job because JWT decided this was not a maintenance position but one of growth."At JWT, Krause's reputation for aggressive management and high-throttle new-business development was welcomed by employees, sources said. "We need a go-getter," noted one executive.His enthusiasm for the job was evident last week, when he promised repeatedly, "We're going to rock this town."Jeffrey spent four months searching for a successor to Brian Heffernan, who resigned under pressure in September after four years on the job. Jeffrey said he met with at least 30 people in Chicago, New York, London and on the West Coast before offering the post to Krause.Before taking the Publicis post in New York, Krause ran that shop's Chicago office in its various permutations, beginning when he took over the Midwest outpost of Hal Riney & Partners in 1990. Prior to that, he spent several years as an account executive at Leo Burnett.At Publicis, Krause gained a reputation as a hands-on manager. "Hands-on at the right time," added Peter Nicholson, who was hired by Krause as the chief creative at Publicis in Chicago and then reassigned with his boss to New York. At JWT, Krause's executive creative director is Rick Kemp, whose low-key demeanor contrasts with Krause's more boisterous personality. "I think that makes for good chemistry," Jeffrey said. "You have Barry as the enthusiastic spokesman and Rick, who is very talented [creatively]."Packaged-goods experience was a key criterion for Jeffrey, and Krause has a wealth of it from his time at Leo Burnett and Riney, working with clients that included Pillsbury, Kellogg and Heinz. Kraft is the $600 million office's largest client, and one of Krause's key tasks, along with generating new business, will be building that relationship.Krause also has experience in the beer category, working on brands such as Old Milwaukee and Stroh's, and most recently (although only briefly) with Heineken at Publicis. JWT handles Miller Genuine Draft for SABMiller and is now in a review to hold on to its Foster's business.Krause is known as a sometimes temperamental executive, once dressing down employees during a Christmas party, one source said, and running his agency "like a war room," said another.Krause admits to becoming "passionate" when people criticize others or get caught up with office politics. "I like to coach," he said. "I'm a team builder, like a Vince Lombardi or Jack Welch."Nicholson said Krause welcomes frank opinions. "Even when you don't like something or disagree with him, speak up," was his advice to Kemp and other JWT employees.Krause's post at Publicis New York will not be filled immediately, sources said. Susan Gianinno, chairman and CEO of Publicis in the U.S., will serve as acting New York CEO, sources said. A decision on a successor will be made during the next several months.

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Krause Returns to Chicago, Promising to 'Rock This Town'

Tania D. Panczyk

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Tania D. Panczyk